Water Main Break Causes Restrictions In Middletown

The washout of a wooden bridge has caused 3 water pipes at the Swimming River Reservoir in Middletown to break resulting in use restrictions for 55,000 customers in 12 Monmouth County communities while a second water main break in Neptune is also causing problems.

New Jersey American Water tells News 12 that the pipes led to a water treatment facility in Middletown and as a result the Township and utility  are asking residents to conserve water use in a statement on the Middletown Township website.

Users may experience either no water or very low pressure. Richard Barnes, the company’s external affairs manager tells the  Asbury Park Press that customers are also being told to boil their water for one minute, then let it cool for a while before drinking.

A water main break on West Lake Avenue has left the 1600 block of that road without water including the Midtown Senior Apartments. Residents have been given bottled water while crews work to restore service. The road was also damaged in the break.

The message:

Due a severe water main break all outdoor water use is restricted immediately. Only use water when necessary. Conserve all water.

A NJ American spokesman tells the Patch of Holmdel that their customers in Middlteown, Holmdel, Aberdeen, Highlands, Sat Brite, Rumson, Fair Haven, Little Silver, Oceanport, Shrewsbury , the northern part of Tinton Falls and part of Long Branch are all affected.

Brookdale Community College in Lincroft has also closed early at 2PM due to the water problem.

New Jersey American Water also recommends the following steps:

• Throw away uncooked food or beverages or ice cubes if made with tap water during the day of the advisory;

• Keep boiled water in the refrigerator for drinking;

• Rinse hand-washed dishes for a minute in diluted bleach (one tablespoon of household bleach per gallon of tap water) or clean your dishes in a dishwasher using the hot wash cycle and dry cycle.

• Do not swallow water while you are showering or bathing;

• Provide pets with boiled water after cooling;

• Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling or using bottled water; most home water filters will not provide adequate protection from microorganisms;

• Use only boiled water to treat minor injuries.